The family of a murdered American journalist Daniel Pearl have reacted with outrage to the broadcast of video footage of the moments directly preceding the journalist's execution.

By showing this video, CBS or any other broadcaster willing to show it proves that they fall without shame into the terrorists' plan

Daniel Pearl's family

The video tape - broadcast by CBS News network on Tuesday - showed footage of the journalist saying he was Jewish and reading an anti-American statement.

CBS News did not show footage of the moment of Pearl's execution.

In a statement, Mr Pearl's family said CBS's decision was "heartless" and called on other networks not to broadcast the tape.

It's important for Americans to see it [the tape], and to understand the full impact and danger of the vicious propaganda being spread against the United States

CBS

Mr Pearl, a reporter for the Wall street Journal, was kidnapped in Karachi on 23 January while investigating a story about Islamic militants in Pakistan.

His body has never been found but a video tape confirming his death was delivered to US officials in Pakistan on 21 February.

Four men accused of kidnapping and killing Mr Pearl have gone on a trial in Pakistan.

'Despicable propaganda'

The statement issued by the Pearl family criticised attempts to rationalise the television network's decision to air what it called "this despicable terrorist propaganda video".

Pearl was investigating a story on Islamic militants

It is beyond our comprehension that any mother, wife, father or sister should have to relive this horrific tragedy and watch their loved one being repeatedly terrorised".

"Terrorists have made this video confident that the American media would broadcast it and thereby serve their exact purpose.

"By showing this video, CBS or any other broadcaster willing to show it proves that they fall without shame into the terrorists' plan".

'Important' video

CBS said it decided to show the video - entitled "The slaughter of the spy journalist, the Jew Daniel Pearl" - after considerable deliberation and despite the US Government's calls not to air it.

"We believe it's important for Americans to see it, and to understand the full impact and danger of the vicious propaganda being spread against the United States," senior CBS presenter Dan Rather said.

He said that graphic scenes were not aired for taste reasons and out of respect for the Pearl family.

CBS said the tape had been found on an Arabic web site and was a recruiting poster for radical Islamic organisations.